Our Summer Bucket List....Bauer Style

Ahhhh, sweet summer! Where did you go? It's kinda silly, really. We started school on August 19th and we still have a month left of summer. We say that summer break is over and the school year begins.

But people, summer is far from over! The days are still warm and we are still up late.  So, I don't feel foolish one bit to share our Family's Summer Bucket List at the "end" of summer. I know we won't finish all the things that are on it; but we still have a few more weeks to squeeze a couple of things in.

I got this idea from one of the million blogs I read. I don't remember which one.

Family Summer Bucket List

 Frozen Yogurt         

 Family Camp: Pretty much the best week of our summer.

Beach    Beach   Beach: I guess we need to make one more trip!!

Ride Bike to the Park     

Take Swimming Lessons: Still can't swim; but now she will put her head under water!
VBX : It was her first year and she loved it.
Watch a Sunrise: This was a Lily idea for sure.
Have a Family Game Night
Go to Howarth Park and Ride the Ponies: We are doing this one really soon.
Lemonade Stand
Movie
Camping
Fishing
Fly a Kite: It was her very first kite, too.
Roll in the Grass: Doesn't everyone roll in the grass during the summer???
Go out for Icecream
Go on a Hike
Go to San Francisco
Charlie Brown Museum: I think this may end up being a fall field trip
Go to Fort Ross
Go to the San Francisco Zoo: Another fall field trip I think.
Day Camp 

Some of these were all Lily's ideas and some were things that the hubs and I wanted to do as a family. I do have to say that having a list up as a reminder helped us to be a little more thoughtful about getting out and doing things this summer.

So here's to a few more weeks of summer!!
 

 

In Which I Step Back Into the Classroom, Wearing a Jumper and Wooden Schoolbus Necklace

No, not really. But I did put on my teacher hat again this week. I reprised my role as elementary teacher this past Monday, only this time I was a Kindergarten teacher. I've never been one of those before.

And in case you are wondering, I just wore shorts, flip flops and a short sleeved top. On the other hand, this little cutie got dressed to the nines. She was so stinkin' cute.

Looking back at the week, I had to say it was good. Honestly, it wasn't what I expected because I just didn't now what to expect. Lily seemed to love it and any fears I had of her asking about  regular school and not seeming to like homeschooling are gone.

Obviously, it is so different from the classroom. For someone who taught in a classroom for 12 years, this  homeschooling gig will take a little for me to get used to. I still struggle with the doubt that somehow she's missing out on something. But I know God has called me to do this. I know that finding the balance between teaching, laundry and occupying a 2 year old will be no small feat. But I know that the opportunity to spend this time with Lily and see her grow and learn will be worth it. I know that the time our family will get to spend together despite Andy's crazy work schedule will be a blessing.

Yesterday, when I asked Lily what her favorite part of the first week of school was she said, "My teacher's smiling face." If you know my daughter at all, you will crack up at that. It totally sounds like something she would say. She is very sincere and genuine..... and a bit of a drama queen. It did make me smile.

Here's some pics of Lily's first day of Kindergarten. And yes, we went out for yogurt to celebrate the first day of school BEFORE we had lunch.

 Special First Day of Kindergarten Sprinkled Pancakes

 Our Special School "Desk" Aka: the kitchen table

 How cute is this?

 Special First Day Snack. I had way too much fun making this!

 A First Day Art Project

Henry got a special first day snack too. Can't leave this guy out the fun.

Yogurt Time

 Love this.....

 and this......

The End

Lucky 13!

As of today, I've been married for 13 years! Want a quick trip down memory lane? I thought so.
(There should be pictures for each year starting with right before we got married. But, sadly, I have no pictures on our computer from 2001. We hadn't yet bought our digital camera.)

* Yes, I know this isn't my anniversary. The computer, though, was being a big pill on my anniversary and wouldn't load the pictures. I could go on and on about how angry I got and almost threw the computer out the window; but then I would just sound insane........

This is for you, Andy. I love you.

1999/2000

Yup, I'm wearing overalls. Bold, I know. I loved those overalls!

2002

2003

2004 

Ahh..... the year I forgot to put the guard on the razor and shaved a nice diagonal  4 inch strip down the back of Andy's head 2 weeks before his sister's wedding!! Notice the super short hair. Ha! ha!

2005

Dressing up like two of our best friends for Halloween......best costumes ever!

2006

2007

One more pic for 2007. It's just that my midsection changed drastically in a matter of about 5 months.

2008
And then life got even sweeter. Lily Grace joined us. Now we had a little family!

2009

2010

2011
Then came "The Hurricane" as we like to call him here at home. Small but fiesty, he rounded out the Bauer Bunch.

2012
I couldn't ask for a better husband, better family, better life.

2013
It's never a dull moment around here and that's just the way I like it. Andy, thank you for 13 wonderful years! Aren't you glad I asked you out first????